Most nappies are bleached white… what to look out for when shopping for your little one

Preparing for the arrival of your first baby is tiring enough. You’re sleep deprived, confused, overwhelmed and excited all in one. How are you meant to know what’s best for you and your baby if you’ve never had one before? There are so many nappies to choose from, which one is the best and why? All your friends try to tell you that the brand they use is what you should be using, but there are many harsh chemicals in a large number of commercial nappies so what should you be looking out for?

For tired new mums, it is convenient to stick to the cheap old brand that everyone has been using for years – it must be safe right? To be transparent with you, the answer is most likely no. Many off the shelf nappies contain toxic chemicals and dyes that can actually be extremely harsh on your baby’s skin causing irritants such as nappy rash. Just some of the harsh chemicals to steer clear from are: Dioxins, chlorine, dyes, VOC’s, fragrance and phthalates.

Many commercial nappies are bleached with chlorine to achieve a clean shade of white. When this bleaching process occurs, traces of a chemical called dioxinsis released which is highly carcinogenic. This can cause skin reactions, alter liver function and hormones as well as interfere with your baby’s reproductive, nervous and immune system.

In many commercial disposable nappies, dyes can be found in the wetness indicator which can actually cause nappy rash and allergic reactions on your baby’s skin. Fragrance is generally used to mask odours which contain skin irritants that can lead to nappy rash and respiratory problems.

VOC’S (Volatile Organic Compounds) are released in the manufacturing process of many nappies which include chemicals such as: ethylbenzene, toluene, xylene and dipentene. VOC’s have been found to cause eye, throat and nose irritation, headaches, damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.

Phthalatesare used to soften plastics to prevent them from cracking. When used, they are slowly released and inhaling them may cause respiratory issues and interfere with reproductive development.

When you’re up at crazy hours of the morning and night, I know that your nappy choice is definitely not the first thing that pops into your head. Not only that, but understanding the ingredients of a nappy, what is good and what is bad is so confusing especially when companies try to hide it from you.

Happy Little Camper is dedicated to providing you with a nappy that is better for your baby and better for the planet. We take pride in being transparent and honest about what is in our nappies so you know that you are choosing a product that is sustainable, reliable and most importantly, safe for your baby. 

To achieve a nappy that is better for your baby and better for the planet, our nappies offer premium quality at an affordable price.  They contain no harmful chemicals so no VOC’s or toxic adhesives get introduced to your baby’s system. Our nappies do not contain any nasties including chlorine, silicone, phthalates, triclosan, sulfates or lead. We use lightweight, ultra-thin, super-absorbent and non-bulky materials and TDI-free elastics that contain no added fragrances, harmful dyes or parabens which make our nappies hypoallergenic. They contain soothing natural ingredients such as GMO-Free Natural Cotton, Organic Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, while also guaranteeing a latex-free product. We source only the purest, sustainably sourced pulp and natural cotton which are all approved by Mother Nature and FSC certified.

With Happy Little Camper, you can rest assured that your baby’s bottom is both safe and smooth!

Additional Resources

Kassem, N. (2017). Chemicals in Disposable Diapers. https://www.hellomotherhood.com/article/111348-chemicals-disposable-diapers/

Stewart, A. (2020). The Chemicals in Disposable Nappies Are Putting Your Baby at Risk. https://littlepiglet.com.au/blogs/lifestyle/the-chemicals-in-disposable-nappies-are-putting-your-baby-at-risk